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Need pre amp for tubey warmth

#2
VT bass/deluxe gets rave reviews on here (and if a sale of mine goes well, I should be getting one myself). You have multiple models on there via the character knob (SVT, Fliptop, etc) and in many demos I've seen it used to darken overdrive and fuzz pedals, making them sound absolutely fantastic. With the presets available on the VT Bass Deluxe, you may find that to be useful since the Ampeg SVT and its variants are single channel amps.

I haven't used the EBS myself, but I've heard many TB'ers say that the VT bass sounds warmer than preamps that have a 12AX7 in them. If you need some audio to help make your mind up, this has been the best demo I've seen on Youtube. It's only the VT Bass, not the deluxe, but the specs for the deluxe speak for itself. This should give you a solid idea of the tonal difference between a straight bass sound and how the VT bass alters it.

 
#3
The EBS is a nice pedal...I had one, but it's not any warmer than a BDDI or VT. You might like it better, but that tube isn't doing much....which is why it used an orange led to simulate a tube operating at an actually useable voltage.
 
#5
I have an EBS Valvedrive, a VT Bass and an Art Tube V3.

I recently picked up a Bellari MP105 on ebay for $45 based on recommendations I've seen here. I must say the Bellari has the sweetest tube tone effect of all of them. I am using it with a Carvin BX500. I tried it in the effects loop first - not so great, but when I put it in front the result was , well, sweet. The unit seems well made, however the gain and volume pots are a little twitchy.

The EBS is a solid unit, but pricey. The tube tone is a little more flexible (tone stack) and tends to favor a more overdriven sound. Very cool if that's what you are looking for.

The VT Bass is a great unit as most posters here agree. To my ears the effect sounds a bit synthesized. I overcome this by mixing the output with a dry signal with a Boss LS-2. I guess that's why Putnam mods has a blend control as an option. That being said, with a little patience, there's a huge palette of tubey tones to find in this little box.

The Art tube pre was a bit of a let down; inexpensive, but limited tube effect. It might be more useful on mikes or other instruments than bass.

As usual YMMV. My tonal tastes seem to be usually a bit outside of the mainstream. However, the elusive search for the ultimate tube tone has been an ongoing obsession with me.
 
#6
I used the Art V3 in front of a few cheap solid state practice amps on guitar and it definitely improved the sound. Don't know if it made it more 'tubey' or not, but it sounded better. More clarity and more fullness. Didn't try it with bass. Don't know if that's helpful at all.....

-JV
 
#9
I've tried Alembic and Pre-sonus tube pre-amps in front of standard SS bass amps and was never able to get the tube warmth that I could easily get with a V4B or Bassman head (using the same bass and speaker cabinet).

From what I read here, the VT is the way to go to accomplish your goals
 
#12
bassthunder100 said:
anyone had any experience with the DHA VT1?
Click to expand...

Awesome pedal. I owned this and a Sansamp VT and sold the Sansamp and kept the DHA. Awesome pedal, real tube, just chock full of tubey goodness.

Full disclosure, I am selling the DHA but only because I have recently switched to all-tube and really don't need it - but awesome pedal!
 
#13
The ART MP models need to have the pre gain up fairly high to get tubey sounding.

I dig the Linden EQ from Barber. I use it when dealing with backline rigs and always used it when I used rigs without tubes. It adds a bit of hair depending on the levels, and helps shape the low end to sit better in a mix.
 
#14
The VT will do a good job warming up your tone but it's designed to give you the Ampeg warm (not my cup) and (to my ears, YMMV) it still sounds too artificial. You could always use the EBS Valve Drive or EHX English Muff'n for literal tubey warmth. I use a Moskova Count Bassy and if you can find one (and are willing to shell out the cash) they're also great.
 
#17
I own and like the VT bass pedal. But the absolute best thing I have ever heard to get the Ampeg-type tube warmth is the Low End True Voice preamp. It's much more expensive and larger than the VT and other pedals, but with a big octal tube in it, it nailed the classic Ampeg sound. I had one for a while, but did not use it enough to justify holding onto it.
 
#18
I have both the VT bass and the Valvedrive on my board. The Valvedrive is my always-on pedal. I keep it at a low gain, just before audible breakup, and it makes my whole signal sound warmer, bigger and thicker with a bit of compression, but doesn't lose any of the character of the signal. You almost can't hear the effect, but it really makes it shine in the mix. I know the glowing tube is a gimmick, but I really like the sound of it.

The VT bass is more versatile, but I almost never turn it on because no matter what anyone says, I feel it scoops the sound in that Ampeg way and is not as warm as the EBS. The EBS makes the mids pop out a bit, while the VT in most settings tends to emphasize the sublows and the extreme highs.

So I much prefer the Valvedrive (for live performance). But that's just me, and I'm not an Ampeg guy. For recording I will probably use the VT bass, as it's quite versatile. You need to try them both out to decide for yourself.
 

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